Results 641-660 of 1,664 for speaker:Maria Byrne

Seanad: Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (9 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for attending to discuss this all-important Bill. I agree with my colleagues that we do not want the lights going off. The ESB has submitted two applications, one in Offaly and one in Tarbert. It is not the case that the floodgates will be opened and that every site will be looked at. I understand that specific sites will be covered by the legislation in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. For the past number of years I have been working closely on applications for grants, mainly with older people and people with disabilities or illness. It has been a beneficial grant, of which people can avail, to replace a bath with a shower, to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Housing Adaptation Grants (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State. It is good news that the Department is carrying out this review and I thank the Minister of State and his Department for that. I am sure we will hear about the recommendations down the line. This is the right thing to do and there has to be an increase. An area that needs to be looked at is that sometimes people might need a downstairs bedroom built on but...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: Happy International Women's Day to all. First, I welcome the announcement by some UK researchers that they are going to call 100 Irish women to trials on endometriosis and relief of pain. It was announced this morning that they are carrying out some research. Endometriosis affects 10% of all women and this a very welcome announcement on International Women's Day. It would be a welcome...

Seanad: International Women's Day: Statements (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming in to discuss this all-important topic. I acknowledge the presence of the ambassador, H.E. Trevor Mallard. He is very welcome. To carry on from what Senator Doherty said, the theme of today is embracing equity. She referred to the fact that not everybody starts in the same place. We are very privileged to be here in Seanad Éireann and that we can come...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: Next Tuesday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: The Role of Pharmacy Care in the Healthcare System: Irish Pharmacy Union (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I was speaking earlier in the Seanad so I was not here for the presentations but I did read Mr. Twomey's opening statement. There are three pharmacists and a pharmaceutical assistant in my family so I regularly hear about the issues facing pharmacists. I pay tribute to pharmacists across Ireland for their supporting role and work during Covid because pharmacies were the only places open...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: The Role of Pharmacy Care in the Healthcare System: Irish Pharmacy Union (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I think it was Mr. Twomey who referred to not enough people qualifying in Ireland and then many ending up going to the UK. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science put out a call to the various universities to express interest in providing courses in that regard. I am not sure if pharmacy was included in that but I know that medicine, nursing and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: The Role of Pharmacy Care in the Healthcare System: Irish Pharmacy Union (8 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I have been working with a number of pharmacies in my area and they have had to bring in pharmacists from abroad who may have qualified in non-European countries and there is an issue with the granting of permits. While a number of them have been successful, has there been much engagement with the IPU and enterprise on that? I know of one application where the person involved is approaching...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Mar 2023)

Maria Byrne: I join colleagues in calling for a debate on energy prices, not just for businesses but also for domestic customers. I have heard from many older people who are concerned about this. One person I spoke to was away from home for a week over Christmas and did not leave on the heating. Even so, the latest bill, which previously averaged approximately €200, is €700. That is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to discuss this important topic. This is about the placement of a veterinary school at the University of Limerick, UL. This will not only benefit Limerick, it will also benefit the region. I am aware that the Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, have met representatives from UL, along with other contenders for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Third Level Education (28 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: Great. I thank the Minister very much indeed for what is a positive response in respect of the independence of the assessment. I know the University of Limerick has also looked at the fact that points are quite high to qualify to go on the course. People, sometimes, even qualify but find that veterinary may not, perhaps, suit them. The University of Limerick has also proposed to introduce...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó (Atógáil) - Order of Business (Resumed) (28 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I rise today to welcome the Windsor Framework. I pay a compliment not only to the Tánaiste but to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, for the amount of work he has put into it over so many years. It is a combination of the work of both men and various other parties as well that has brought this forward. It is a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (23 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I wish to raise the situation regarding trolley numbers in University Hospital Limerick. While we had a visit there last week from the Taoiseach, who is taking a personal interest in this issue, I note two things. The trolley numbers were down last week and are well up this week. There are in excess of 100 people on trolleys today, I believe it is 111 people, and there were similar numbers...

Seanad: Rail Network: Statements (23 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this important issue. While I only have brief speaking time, I want to raise two issues. The first concerns the Limerick to Foynes railway line and the fact trees and shrubbery were removed overnight along the rail line to the detriment of houses in Kilteragh, Huntsfield, Cúl Crannagh, Lissanalta, Springfields and Glencairin. I...

Seanad: Rail Network: Statements (23 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: The Minister, without interruption.

Seanad: Rail Network: Statements (23 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: Apologies, but we are out of time. I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Business Supports (22 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I welcome the Minister of State. Today, is my first opportunity to welcome him to the Chamber since his elevation to his new post. I congratulate him and wish him well, particularly as I know how committed he is to enterprise and business. I am concerned about businesses, especially small businesses. I tabled my Commencement matter before the announcement of the supports that were put in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Business Supports (22 Feb 2023)

Maria Byrne: I thank the Minister of State for his comments. I thank him for accepting my invitation to visit Limerick. I am a former business owner. I work with many small business organisations. Certainly, the Limerick City Centre Business Association is doing Trojan work in supporting small businesses. While they are in competition with one another, they work together for the greater good. I...